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"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The intense flames continued to explode, swallowing everything around them. The shockwaves spread across the surface of the ocean, while fragments of the destroyed ship were sent flying in every direction. The seawater beneath the burning wreckage hissed and boiled from the tremendous heat, producing enormous clouds of steam that rose into the night sky.
BOOM!
Another earth-shaking explosion erupted.
Under the high-intensity flames, the massive steamship finally collapsed completely. Giant steel supports, pieces of the hull, and countless fragments were blown high into the air before crashing back toward the ocean.
The once-imposing ship was reduced to burning wreckage.
Gradually, the explosions subsided.
The smoke slowly dispersed, leaving only scattered flames floating across the surface of the sea. The darkness around them seemed unusually quiet after the deafening destruction.
Jack floated in the air while holding Pepper in his arms, calmly looking down at the remains of the ship.
"Finished."
Pepper snorted coldly.
"Finished? What does that have to do with me?"
"Indeed, it has nothing to do with you." Jack smiled. "But now we have to deal with you. So, Pepper, what do you want to do?"
"I don't want to do anything. I want to go home."
Jack nodded.
"I know. I'll take you home. Let's go to our home."
"I said I want to go to my home." Pepper shook her head firmly. "You and I don't have a home together."
Jack raised an eyebrow.
"You're saying you and I don't have a home together? Then who exactly do you have a home with?"
He smiled mischievously.
"Stop arguing."
Pepper glared at him.
"I hate you."
She looked directly into Jack's eyes.
"That hatred hasn't disappeared. Until it does, you and I have nothing to do with each other."
"Really?"
Jack's smile became even more playful.
"Fine. I'll give you an opportunity."
A golden flash appeared in Jack's hand.
The golden battle axe materialized in front of Pepper.
"What are you trying to do?"
"Pepper, don't you hate me?"
Jack calmly handed her the weapon.
"If killing me can eliminate your hatred, then kill me."
Pepper stared at the golden blade in her hand.
"A blade can't kill you. Do you think I don't know that?"
Jack shook his head.
"This blade is different."
"It is one of the sharpest weapons in the world. Even my body can be cut open by it."
Pepper's eyes narrowed.
"Fine."
"I'll believe you."
"If killing you can make up for everything you've done to me..."
Her hands tightened around the hilt.
"...then I'll do it."
Pepper suddenly raised the axe and swung it toward Jack's head.
Jack's expression immediately became serious.
She's really going to cut me?
For the first time, even Jack felt a little depressed.
He had only wanted to give Pepper an opportunity to vent her anger. He hadn't actually expected her to swing the weapon with such determination.
If she really cuts me, I'll have to use Teleport.
Jack prepared himself.
But at the last possible instant—
The blade stopped.
It was only 0.01 millimeters away from Jack's head.
Pepper's hands were trembling violently.
Jack remained perfectly still.
"Why did you stop?"
His expression was calm, but inwardly he was relieved.
That was close.
If she had moved the blade another fraction, he would have needed to teleport away.
Pepper was breathing heavily.
"This... this was just an accident!"
She quickly pulled the blade away.
"Next time, I won't hesitate!"
"I'll definitely kill you!"
Jack smiled mischievously.
"Then you need to try harder."
"Rubbish!"
Pepper shouted angrily and raised the axe again.
She swung it down.
But this time, the blade stopped more than ten centimeters away from Jack's head.
Pepper froze.
Her hands trembled even more violently.
"What... what's wrong with me?"
She stared at the weapon in her hands.
"Why can't I..."
She clenched her teeth.
"Why can't I do it?"
Jack watched her silently.
He could see the conflict in her eyes.
Pepper clearly hated him.
She had every reason to hate him.
She had even been given a weapon capable of hurting him.
Yet when the moment came, she simply couldn't bring herself to finish the attack.
Pepper slowly lowered the axe.
"Hateful..."
She clenched her fists.
"Why am I so weak?"
She looked toward Jack, frustration filling her eyes.
"The whole world wants you dead. Everyone thinks killing you would be justice."
"So why can't I do it?"
Jack smiled softly.
"Looks like you really can't bring yourself to start."
Pepper immediately snapped back.
"It's not that!"
She raised the axe again, as though trying to force herself to act.
But her hands trembled.
The blade eventually slipped from her grasp and dropped harmlessly.
Jack looked at her with a faint smile.
"How was that?"
Pepper stared at him.
Then, suddenly, she grabbed Jack around the waist.
Her voice trembled.
"You bastard..."
"Why?"
"Why do you keep forcing me into this situation?"
"You obviously know I can't do it..."
"Yet you still make me try."
Jack gently embraced her.
"I thought you'd be able to go through with it."
"I never expected you to be like this."
Pepper struck his back repeatedly.
"You did it intentionally!"
"You wanted me to give in in front of you!"
"You wanted me to admit defeat!"
"You shameless devil!"
"I hate you!"
Jack held her without resisting.
Then he leaned toward her ear and whispered softly,
"So you figured it out."
Pepper froze.
"Hateful..."
Jack gently lifted her chin.
"Enough."
Tears filled Pepper's eyes as she glared at him.
"You bastard..."
Before she could say anything else—
Jack kissed her.
Pepper's eyes widened.
For a moment, she was completely stunned.
Then something inside her finally broke.
She kissed him back.
Perhaps it was anger.
Perhaps it was frustration.
Perhaps it was all the fear and anxiety she had been carrying since everything began.
Whatever the reason, Pepper simply wanted to vent.
Even if the person she was venting against was this hateful bastard.
The kiss became intense.
Pepper felt her entire body heating up.
At first, she thought it was merely the result of her emotions.
But then she suddenly noticed something unusual.
"I..."
Pepper pushed Jack away and looked down at her arm.
Her skin was gradually becoming red.
Jack's expression changed.
"You've activated Extremis."
Pepper stared at her arm.
"I know."
Her voice became quieter.
"Am I going to die?"
She shook her head.
"If the thermal explosion happens..."
"If I really become like that..."
She looked at Jack.
"I don't even hate you enough anymore to die like this."
Jack's expression softened.
"Pepper."
"I told you before."
"As long as I'm here, no one can hurt you."
"You won't die."
Pepper looked at him uncertainly.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Jack smiled.
"Extremis is a power that now belongs to you."
"As long as you learn how to control it, it won't harm you."
"Instead, it can make you stronger and improve your body."
Pepper shook her head.
"I don't want to become perfect."
"I just want to be normal."
Jack nodded.
"Then don't worry."
"I'll make sure you're fine."
"You'll be fine as long as I'm here."
Pepper looked away.
"I don't believe you."
"You're a super liar."
She paused before continuing.
"After you left New Mexico, you disappeared for such a long time."
"You..."
She clenched her fists.
"You just vanished."
Jack smiled.
"Why didn't I come looking for you?"
Pepper immediately looked at him.
"Exactly!"
"I was in Puente Antiguo!"
"Did you even know what happened to me?"
"You only knew how to enjoy yourself and live freely."
"What was I to you?"
"Did you even care about me?"
Jack sighed.
"I wasn't ignoring you."
"I simply wanted to wait until things stabilized before looking for you again."
"Excuse."
Pepper crossed her arms.
"I don't believe you."
Jack thought for a moment.
"After leaving Puente Antiguo, I went to Asgard."
"But I was seriously injured there."
"Later, I fell into the southernmost waters of South America."
Pepper stared at him.
Jack continued with an awkward expression.
"I was swallowed by a shark."
The explanation sounded ridiculous even to Jack.
Pepper's expression immediately changed.
"The southernmost waters of South America?"
"And a shark?"
She stared at him.
"That was because of you!"
"I went there with Jane."
"We actually saw a dead shark."
Jack's mouth twitched.
"Looks like you arrived a little late."
"Alice had already rescued me."
"After that, I remained unconscious for eight months before finally waking up."
"Eight months?"
Pepper's expression changed from anger to concern.
"That long?"
She looked at him carefully.
"Are you really all right now?"
Jack smiled and pulled her into his arms.
"Do I look like something is wrong with me?"
Pepper remained silent.
Jack lowered his head slightly and whispered teasingly,
"Now, Pepper..."
"The only thing you need to do is obediently become my woman."
Pepper's face immediately reddened.
"Who wants to be your woman?!"